To increase ethanol blending in petrol, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification, which proposes to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The draft includes a provision for E85 fuel, petrol blended with 85 percent ethanol. Besides, the document proposes E100, pure ethanol fuel. Similarly, the provision will apply to diesel, which will be referred to from B10 to B100. At present, E20, petrol blended with 20 percent ethanol is in effect.
The ministry, in an April 27 gazette notification, said that the draft is open for a 30-day consultation period for inviting objections or suggestions from stakeholders. This will be followed with a decision by the government.
This development assumes significance as the government has been advancing on various paths, including rolling out the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme to reduce the dependence on imported oil and gas. Over the last 11 years, India has saved India ₹1.55 lakh crore of foreign exchange and crude oil substitution of 260 lakh metric tonnes by blending ethanol in petrol.
